Sen. Shirley Turner

Maddy summaryS 2241 expands New Jersey's subsidized child care assistance program to cover families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL), raising the income limit from 200% FPL ($55,500 for a family of four in 2022) to 300% FPL ($83,250 for a family of four in 2022). The bill requires the Division of Family Development to establish at least four income tiers for determining eligibility and co-payment amounts. It appropriates necessary state funds for implementation, to be determined by the Commissioner of Human Services and approved by the budget office. This change directly affects low-to-moderate-income working families who previously exceeded the income threshold for child care subsidies.

Maddy summaryS 1948 requires New Jersey nursing homes to provide more detailed financial disclosures and ownership information. Nursing homes must now submit annual reports including balance sheets with equity details, itemized expenses for leases and contracts over $10,000, and comprehensive organizational charts showing parent companies, subsidiaries, and related parties providing services worth over $200,000 annually. For ownership transfers, applicants must submit detailed information about current and proposed owners, including organizational charts, and the Department of Health must post these applications online. The bill also requires owner-certified financial statements prepared by certified public accountants and increases penalties for noncompliance to up to $200 per day. These changes aim to increase transparency about nursing home ownership structures and financial relationships.

Maddy summaryS 2239 extends New Jersey's requirement that child care subsidy payments for licensed centers and registered family day care providers be based on the number of enrolled eligible children (not attendance) until June 30, 2025. The bill mandates that providers set staff wages and hours based on enrollment numbers, not attendance, and requires the Division of Family Development to study the cost differences between enrollment-based and attendance-based payments. This study must be reported to the Governor and Legislature within three years of the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryS 1983 would eliminate the requirement for advanced practice nurses (APNs) in New Jersey to practice under physician collaboration or supervision, allowing them to provide care independently. This directly affects APNs - over 75% of whom specialize in primary care - and aims to improve healthcare access in underserved communities, including areas with physician shortages and among racial/ethnic minorities, low-income populations, and those facing transportation barriers. The bill cites that 24 states and the District of Columbia already permit full practice authority for APNs, and during pandemic waivers (Executive Order 112), no adverse incidents occurred while APNs practiced without restrictions. It states removing these barriers could reduce healthcare access disparities by over 38 percent, aligning New Jersey with other states to address chronic shortages in primary care services.

Maddy summaryS 2064 establishes the New Jersey Student Teacher Scholarship Program, providing up to $7,200 per semester to eligible students completing clinical practice in teacher preparation programs. The scholarship directly supports New Jersey residents enrolled full-time in approved educator preparation programs who are completing required clinical practice to earn a "certificate of eligibility with advanced standing." To qualify, students must be NJ residents, enrolled full-time in an approved program, and complete program steps for clinical practice. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will administer the program, collect annual demographic and effectiveness data, and may prioritize students seeking high-demand teaching fields like math or special education. The scholarship terminates for academic dismissal or program withdrawal but requires no repayment if terminated due to illness or family emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies New Jersey's tax rules for telecommunications companies that held regional landline monopolies before the 1996 Telecommunications Act. It specifies that these companies (or their successors) must pay business personal property taxes on their equipment located in municipalities, but only need to have met a 51% local access requirement as of April 1, 1997 - not annually. The bill also requires winning municipalities in tax disputes to be awarded attorney fees from the telecom company. This addresses ongoing legal costs for municipalities after a 2012 court case misinterpreted the 1997 tax law.

Maddy summarySCR 50 is a constitutional amendment proposal that would permanently dedicate funds from New Jersey's "9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund Account" exclusively to 9-1-1 and emergency response operations. Currently, 90 cents from phone bills funds this account, but the state has historically diverted these funds to balance the general budget. The amendment would legally prohibit using any money from this specific account for purposes other than: maintaining 9-1-1 systems, funding emergency response equipment/facilities, covering emergency training, operating related state offices (like the Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services), and implementing federal 9-1-1 requirements. This change would require a statewide vote after legislative approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's school bus safety laws to authorize using school bus monitoring systems for enforcement. It changes penalties for drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses: violations captured by these systems will result in only a $250 civil penalty (instead of potential fines or jail time), with funds directed to municipalities and school districts for safety programs. The law applies to buses transporting children or individuals with developmental disabilities when stopped to load/unload. It does not create new monitoring systems but specifies how existing systems can be used to enforce stop laws through civil penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill regulates pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and health insurance carriers in New Jersey to address harmful practices like "steering." It prohibits PBMs from directing patients to affiliated pharmacies (e.g., their own mail-order services), requiring them to charge health plans the same price they pay pharmacies, and banning excessive copays or withholding coverage for cheaper drug alternatives. PBMs engaging in steering face a 10% surcharge on prior year pharmacy reimbursements, with annual reporting to the state. The law directly affects PBMs, health insurers, and patients - especially in rural areas or managing chronic conditions - by aiming to lower drug costs and improve access to affordable care.